The Junior School Symposium

The Junior School Symposium is an established annual event in the curriculum – a central tenet of free and memorable learning. Starting in 2015, we team up with James Allen’s Girls’ Junior School and Dulwich Wood Primary School, with children working together on different workshops, issues and activities. To date, themes have included ‘Movement’, ‘Pattern and Chaos’, ‘Time’, ‘Conflict and Resolution’, ‘Our World’ and our theme for 2022 was 'Colour'.

Teachers from the Junior and Senior Schools and outside providers ensure a range of challenging, thought-provoking sessions for all. If any pupil feels apprehensive about working with new children, their fears are quickly dispelled; discussions become lively as confidence builds. In all the varied sessions, it is lovely to see groups of girls and boys working constructively together: focussed, engaged and thoughtful. By the end of the day, every child has experienced a range of challenges to delve deeply into; discovering the theme through thinking, exploring, problem-solving, discussing, debating, analysing, evaluating and creating.

Activities really do vary. In our most recent ‘Colour’ theme, students enjoyed a 'Real Science or Just Bangs?' show from pyrotechnician, Matthew Tosh. There were gasps of delight as fireworks were set off inside the Great Hall at Dulwich College. Pupils also learned about the colourful Hispanic culture, investigated how colour is used by cartographers, explored precipitates using Bunsen Burners and created their own pointillism artworks - just a few of the many activities on offer.

A rapidly growing aspect of the day is strengthening links with other schools in the Dulwich College community around the world. Dulwich College Singapore hosted their Symposium too. Short films created by talented crews in each school were then circulated so the children could connect with their peers around the world. This growing bond around such an exciting initiative makes it a truly global event.

Victoria Scott
Deputy Head Academic

Pupil Quotes

My favourite activity was the Samba because I love dancing and I really enjoyed learning a new style. Paddy

My favourite activity was the 'Real Science or Just Bangs?' show as it was really exciting and made you jump! Milo

In the Symposium, I learned the colours in Spanish - I had never spoken Spanish before, so I enjoyed learning a new language. Stanley

Three words to describe the Symposium are: creative, colourful and explosive! Rori